Following a five-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Washington man today of distributing fentanyl pills that resulted in the overdose death of two men in Skagway.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between Jan. 1 to 13, 2023, Cotton agreed to mail approximately 150 brightly-colored fentanyl pills to Jacob Bowers for distribution in Skagway. The pills, known as “rainbow fentanyl,” are designed to attract younger users. Cotton and Bowers had hoped to create a pathway by which they could buy the fentanyl in Washington at a cheaper price, ship it to Alaska and then charge a premium rate in Skagway. The two agreed to split any distribution proceeds, court records indicate.
At the time of the agreement, Skagway was “dry,” meaning there was no fentanyl available in the community.
On Jan. 9, Cotton shipped a parcel containing the pills from Spokane to Bowers in Skagway via the U.S. Postal Service. After receiving the parcel sometime between Jan. 11 and 12. Bowers contacted multiple people indicating the pills were available, and sold them to multiple people, including a 44-year-old man, later identified by family members as James Cook.
On Jan. 13, around 11:30 p.m., Bowers was found unresponsive on his bathroom floor and later declared deceased after attempts to revive him. The following day, on Jan. 14, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Cook was found dead in his bedroom. Autopsies by the State of Alaska Medical Examiner’s Office later determined both victims died from acute toxic effects of fentanyl.
On Jan. 15, law enforcement searched Bowers’ residence and recovered a plastic bag with 62 fentanyl pills hidden in a computer tower.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence confirming Cotton’s shipment of the drugs, digital messages and other forms of payment connected to the illegal drug sale.
With the verdict, Cotton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The federal jury also found Cotton guilty of a “death resulting” enhancement for both victims, which required proof that the fentanyl pills he distributed were the cause of each victim’s death. Cotton faces between 20 years and life in prison on each count.
A sentencing hearing will be set for a later date.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Seattle Field Division and Skagway Police Chief Jerry Reddick made the announcement. The DEA Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office, and Skagway Police Department, as part of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force (SEACAD), investigated the case.
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